2 principles for identifying and developing great leaders

What will happen to your church when you’re no longer able to lead it?

It’s critical that those in positions of leadership always look to develop leaders who will one day replace them. If we are really passionate about who we serve and what we do, the thought of passing it on to the next generation should be what gets us out of bed every day. We have to groom others to be ready to replace us when the time is right.

Shannon Miles had a great post on learning to replace ourselves. Today, I want to add to that conversation and talk about two things leaders must do if they want to identify and develop other leaders in their ministry.

Two Principles for Identifying and Developing Great Leaders

Here are two characteristics I look for that indicate someone is ripe for leadership:

Leadership potential starts with leading yourself well. Those who have potential for leadership are self-starters. They don’t look for permission to solve problems. They have high levels of creativity when it comes to problem solving. They’re not afraid to take risks. They develop the ability to see what’s coming. They look to solve future problems. They are excellent communicators. They deal with issues early and use a kind tone. They debate ideas, not people.

Leadership potential manifests in leading others well. Those who have potential for leadership are seen as ‘safe’ to those they lead. They let people process unformed ideas. They are clear on how people are evaluated. They have the ability to relate to different personalities and roles. They care about what motivates each person on their team. They have the ability to replicate themselves. They are not good leaders if the organization or team would fail without them.

Thinking about a future in which we’re not in the position we now fill can sometimes be uncomfortable, but it’s critical to the success and health of our ministry.